Monday, March 11, 2019
Today we will begin our unit on Japan.  First, we will do a lesson on bias and stereotypes at the beginning of chapter 8 in the book Medieval to Early Modern Times, pages 195-197.  
Answer these questions in complete sentences:

Section 1a--Timeline and “Stereotypes and Bias in History”, p. 194-197

1. What is one of the most important geographic features in Japan?
2. Looking over the timeline, which of the entries are you most interested in learning more about and why?
3. What is the difference between a stereotype and a bias?
4. Write one stereotype from the list.
5. Write one bias from the list.
6. Who does the author of “The Pillow Book” show a bias against?
7. What stereotypes about non-nobles does the author include in her writing?
8. How would a Japanese priest or country person feel about “The Pillow Book?”  Why?

We will also check out our new book The Samurai's Tale.  
First, some general terms to know:

Terms to know:

samurai (noun) a member of a powerful military class in Japan in the past

kimono (noun) a traditional piece of Japanese clothing like a long loose coat

sake (noun) a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice

hara-kiri (noun) a way of killing yourself by cutting open your stomach, used in the past in Japan to avoid losing honour

We will read the Preface in The Samurai's Tale and answer questions:

1. What does the narrator compare the man, his daughter, and the ox to?
2. What does the narrator mean when he writes “For they will always be with us”?
3. What simile does the narrator use to describe the great lords?  What does the narrator mean?
4. Who was the narrator’s father? What happened to him?